GWK Reopens

Demonstrators Reopen Access Road to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park in Bali

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(8/26/2014)

Metrobali.com reported on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 that the Garuda Winsu Kencana Park (GWK) has reopened after being closed for nearly three days by a blockade of the entrance by neighboring villagers.

The villagers of Banjar Suka Duka Giri Dharma in Ungasan, that borders GWK, dumped coral rocks and installed banners at the Park’s entrance on Sunday, August 24th protesting that a promised access road to a village cemetery and temple complex had not been built. The blocking of the only entrance to the Park effectively closed GWK to the public and threatened a planned meeting in the Park between Indonesian President Suslilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President-elect Joko Widodo.

Park officials estimated the closure was costing the park between Rp. 300-500 million per day in lost revenues.

The director of operations for PT Alam Sutera Realty who are developing the GWK complex, Seno Andikawanto, promised the access road would soon be built.

“We will fulfill the 6 demands regarding past promises made to the villagers. What’s happening at the moment is that we are trying to do the best for both visitors and the GWK neighbors in a fair and equitable way,” Seno explained on Tuesday, August 26, 2014.

In addition to demanding the construction of the promised access road villagers are also demanding employment opportunities at GWK equal to 50% of all paid positions.